tahoe healey
Yoda
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What is the opinion of electric car polishers? I was given one for Xmas but I'm hesitant to use it.
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car polishers
- Thread starter tahoe healey
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I just started using a polisher on my two family cars.
I had no prior experience with one but am pleased with the results. Only drawback is that it can't get into tight spaces.
Don't think I will use it on my Healey though for fear of getting too close to that ice blue paint job.
Besides, there is just something to running your hands over those beautiful lines!!
I had no prior experience with one but am pleased with the results. Only drawback is that it can't get into tight spaces.
Don't think I will use it on my Healey though for fear of getting too close to that ice blue paint job.
Besides, there is just something to running your hands over those beautiful lines!!
John Loftus
Luke Skywalker
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I use the Porter Cable orbital polisher ... like the one in Griots catalog. No chance of rubbing through the paint because of the lower speed/orbital action and the fine polishes used. Works great. Even use it just to apply wax quickly and consistantly.
I've also used rotary buffers for damaged or orangepeel paint but you need to be extremely careful not to rub through at the panel edges, ridges, etc. Masking tape can be used to protect the edges but you still need to be very careful.
Cheers,
John
I've also used rotary buffers for damaged or orangepeel paint but you need to be extremely careful not to rub through at the panel edges, ridges, etc. Masking tape can be used to protect the edges but you still need to be very careful.
Cheers,
John
Jim Weatherford
Jedi Hopeful
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Hey Guys;
Swirl marks are common with Orbital Buffers, especially with a heavy hand.
The Random Buffers like the Porter-Cable greatly improve the finish and reduces the skill factor to getting a wonderful, bright and smooth finish.
I have also found a light touch is the key for me, I also find that reducing the "touch" on edges and ridges even more will prevent problems. Good polishing!
Swirl marks are common with Orbital Buffers, especially with a heavy hand.
The Random Buffers like the Porter-Cable greatly improve the finish and reduces the skill factor to getting a wonderful, bright and smooth finish.
I have also found a light touch is the key for me, I also find that reducing the "touch" on edges and ridges even more will prevent problems. Good polishing!
PC
Darth Vader
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Tahoe Healey, you didn’t mention what kind of polisher you got.
As John pointed out, random-orbital polishers like the Porter-Cable 7336, cyclo, Gems, etc. are very safe as long as they are used with the correct chemicals and bonnets.
Some paint defects can only be mitigated with a high-speed rotary buffer but they really do require a skilled hand and experienced eye (in addition to the correct bonnets and chemicals) to use. Once you have the touch a rotary can give amazing results on old, tired paint. Unfortunately, as John pointed out, you can burn right through the paint with a rotary if you’re not careful.
To me, the 10” and 11” polishers like the Gems and Wen are too large for polishing LBCs. I don’t even use my 11” polisher on my truck any more (in fact I don’t use it at all, anybody want one cheap?). A 6” unit like the Porter-Cable is great.
PC.
As John pointed out, random-orbital polishers like the Porter-Cable 7336, cyclo, Gems, etc. are very safe as long as they are used with the correct chemicals and bonnets.
Some paint defects can only be mitigated with a high-speed rotary buffer but they really do require a skilled hand and experienced eye (in addition to the correct bonnets and chemicals) to use. Once you have the touch a rotary can give amazing results on old, tired paint. Unfortunately, as John pointed out, you can burn right through the paint with a rotary if you’re not careful.
To me, the 10” and 11” polishers like the Gems and Wen are too large for polishing LBCs. I don’t even use my 11” polisher on my truck any more (in fact I don’t use it at all, anybody want one cheap?). A 6” unit like the Porter-Cable is great.
PC.
Steve
Moderator
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I too have a Porter-Cable machine, as shown in the Griot's catalogue. I bought mine through an industrial distributor, and paid a lot less than Griot's price. Only drawback was not getting that nifty carrying case. I bought a couple of those pads for it from Griot, and have been very pleased with the results. There is no danger of burning through the paint. The company I work for uses Milwaukee orbitals, and they are too powerful if in untrained hands.
OP
tahoe healey
Yoda
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This is a Craftsman (cheepie?) I think. I think I'll use it on the 4-Runners.
PC
Darth Vader
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On the Sears website there appears to be two 6”, one 7” and two 10” random orbital polishers, one 6” high-speed rotary polisher, one jitterbug sander/polisher and a cordless rotary “scrubber”/polisher all branded as Craftsman.
All of the RO units are probably safe as long as you use non-abrasive waxes and polishes with foam pads and cotton terry or microfiber bonnets. Personally, I like foam pads for application and microfiber bonnets for removal/buffing.
If you use bonnets for chemical application they should be either plastic backed or used with a plastic liner to avoid soaking the backing pad. (Or, use changeable foam pads and just let ‘em get soaked.)
Use any given pad or bonnet for only one type of chemical then change it out for the next.
I wouldn’t trust the jitterbug or the scrubber on paint but maybe I’m just uptight.
I know a professional detailer who uses the Craftsman 6” rotary buffer. If you try it practice on a car you don't care about until you feel comfortable with it.
All of Meguiar’s professional products say what kind of polishers you can use on their (John Loftus’) bottles. I think almost all of their consumer products can be used with a RO machine (but check first).
PC.
All of the RO units are probably safe as long as you use non-abrasive waxes and polishes with foam pads and cotton terry or microfiber bonnets. Personally, I like foam pads for application and microfiber bonnets for removal/buffing.
If you use bonnets for chemical application they should be either plastic backed or used with a plastic liner to avoid soaking the backing pad. (Or, use changeable foam pads and just let ‘em get soaked.)
Use any given pad or bonnet for only one type of chemical then change it out for the next.
I wouldn’t trust the jitterbug or the scrubber on paint but maybe I’m just uptight.
I know a professional detailer who uses the Craftsman 6” rotary buffer. If you try it practice on a car you don't care about until you feel comfortable with it.
All of Meguiar’s professional products say what kind of polishers you can use on their (John Loftus’) bottles. I think almost all of their consumer products can be used with a RO machine (but check first).
PC.
Steve
Moderator
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Just a heads-up regarding the Craftsman.......I worked at a Ziebart store which does detailing, and they burned out a Craftsman buffer fairly quickly.........they just weren't intended for heavy professional work loads. (Four or five cars a day).
[ 01-14-2004: Message edited by: Steve ]</p>
[ 01-14-2004: Message edited by: Steve ]</p>
PC
Darth Vader
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<blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><hr>Originally posted by Steve:
Just a heads-up regarding the Craftsman.......I worked at a Ziebart store which does detailing, and they burned out a Craftsman buffer fairly quickly.........they just weren't intended for heavy professional work loads. (Four or five cars a day).
<hr></blockquote>
Not surprising since they're a low cost consumer tool. The detailer I spoke with liked them because they were light and maneuverable. He didn't say how often he had to replace them.
PC.
Just a heads-up regarding the Craftsman.......I worked at a Ziebart store which does detailing, and they burned out a Craftsman buffer fairly quickly.........they just weren't intended for heavy professional work loads. (Four or five cars a day).
<hr></blockquote>
Not surprising since they're a low cost consumer tool. The detailer I spoke with liked them because they were light and maneuverable. He didn't say how often he had to replace them.
PC.